Bayabas or guava fruit is known for being rich in vitamin C and vitamin A. It has value in herbal medicine for its antiseptic activity in treating wounds, ulcers, bacterial infections and diarrhea. Bayabas contains various compounds that provides various health benefits for man and this article will examine these claims as referenced to scientific studies..
Scientific Name: Psidium guajava
Also knows as: Bayawas (Bik.), Biabas (Sul.), Gaiyabat (If.), Gaiyabit (If.) Geyabas (Bon.), Guayabas (Tag.), Guava (Engl.), Guyabas(Ilk., Tag.), Kalimbahin (Tag.), Psidium cujavus Linn. Bagabas (Ig.), Psidium aromaticum Blanco Bayabas (Ilk., Tag.), Psidium pyriferum Linn. Bayabo (Ibn.), Psidium pomiferum Linn. Bayauas (Bik., Pang.),Tayabas (Tag.)
Bayabas or guava is a fruit-bearing shrub or small tree that grows in tropical climate like Mexico, Peru and the Philippines. Bayabas is widely used in the Philippines as herbal medicine and is recognized by the Philippine Department of Health for its antiseptic property.
Bayabas leaves and fruits contain eugenol, tannin, saponins, amygdalin, phenolic acids, malic acid, ash, aldehydes, catequinic components and flavonoids. Bayabas or guava is used in herbal medicine as antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, antioxidant hepatoprotective, anti-allergy, antimicrobial, anti-plasmodial, anti-cough, antidiabetic, and antigenotoxic.
Bayabas or guava tree grows 3 to10 meters tall with greenish to red-brownish smooth bark. Bayabas produce a round globular bayabas fruit that starts as a flower. The bayabas fruit is green and turns yellowish-green and soft when ripe. Bayabas fruit has many small hard seeds contained in a yellowish pulp. Bayabas fruit is usually eaten while still green and hard.
| Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz) | |
|---|---|
| Energy | 285 kJ (68 kcal) |
|
Carbohydrates
|
14.32 g
|
| Sugars | 8.92 g |
| Dietary fiber | 5.4 g |
|
Fat
|
0.95 g
|
|
Protein
|
2.55 g
|
| Vitamins | Quantity
%DV†
|
| Vitamin A equiv.
beta-Carotene
|
4%
31 μg 3%
374 μg |
| Thiamine (B1) |
6%
0.067 mg |
| Riboflavin (B2) |
3%
0.04 mg |
| Niacin (B3) |
7%
1.084 mg |
| Pantothenic acid (B5) |
9%
0.451 mg |
| Vitamin B6 |
8%
0.11 mg |
| Folate (B9) |
12%
49 μg |
| Vitamin C |
275%
228.3 mg |
| Vitamin K |
2%
2.2 μg |
| Minerals | Quantity
%DV†
|
| Calcium |
2%
18 mg |
| Iron |
2%
0.26 mg |
| Magnesium |
6%
22 mg |
| Manganese |
7%
0.15 mg |
| Phosphorus |
6%
40 mg |
| Potassium |
9%
417 mg |
| Sodium |
0%
2 mg |
| Zinc |
2%
0.23 mg |
| Other constituents | Quantity |
| Lycopene | 5204 µg |
|
|
|
|
|
| †Percentages are roughly approximated using US recommendations for adults. Source: USDA FoodData Central |
|
Bayabas Medicinal Uses
Bayabas in Traditional and Folkloric Medicine For Skin Problems
Bayabas is traditionally used as antiseptic and antiinflammatory for skin conditions such as
- skin burns,
- scalds,
- scrapes,
- sunburn
- wounds
- psoriasis
- eczema and others
Crushed bayabas leaf or boiled leaves is applied directly to the affected skin, providing relief and believed to improve healing.
Bayabas is traditionally used to treat stomach problems
- diarrhea
- dysentery
- flatulence
A decoction of bayabas leaves is taken 3-5 glasses per day.
Other health benefits of bayabas or guava in herbal medicine include
- anti-spasmodic,
- antioxidant
- hepatoprotective,
- anti-allergy,
- antimicrobial,
- anti-plasmodial,
- anti-cough,
- antidiabetic, and
- antigenotoxic.
Science-Based Health Benefits from Bayabas
Bayabas Mechanism of action in disease prevention
Renal protective effects of extracts from guava fruit (Psidium guajava L.) in diabetic mice.
This study analyzed the content of phenolic acids and flavonoids in extracts of guava fruit and examined the renal protective effects of guava extract in diabetic mice. The findings support that guava fruit could protect kidneys against diabetic progression via its anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and antiglycation effects. Source: Plant Foods for Human Nutrition (2012, Sept)
Anti-hyperglycaemic (Diabetic) potential of Psidium guajava raw fruit peel.
This study was undertaken to evaluate the glycaemic potential of Psidium guajava unripe fruit peel extract on blood glucose level of normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Results had shown guava extract lowered the fasting blood glucose to a considerable degree suggesting the hypoglycaemic as well as antidiabetic effect of guava extract in diabetic rats. Source: Indian Journal of Medical Research (2009 May).
Antioxidative activities of Psidium guajava Linn leaves extracts
A study conducted to determine the antioxidative activities of the extracts from Psidium guajava Linn leaves showed that it has effects on scavenging hydroxyl radicals and inhibiting lipid peroxidation in a dose-dependent manner, The guava extracts possess the potential antioxidative activities and the flavonoids may be one of their antioxidative components. Source: Wei sheng yan jiu = Journal of hygiene research (2007 May).
Antimicrobial effects of psidium guajava extract as one mechanism of its antidiarrhoeal action.
The objective for this study was to verify if the reported modes of the antidiarrhoeal action should be broadened to include direct antimicrobial actions on some of the more common bacteria known to cause toxin-induced acute diarrhea. 10 organisms grown separately on nutrient agar plates were subjected to guava water extract and results have shown that the growth of all these organisms was inhibited suggesting the antidiarrhoeal activity. Source: The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences (1999 Jul).
Bayabas Preparations, Usage, and Side Effects
Bayabas Preparation and Usage
How to use Bayabas as an antiseptic and astringent
- Gather fresh bayabas leaves and wash with water.
- Boil one cup of bayabas leaves in three cups of water for 8 to 10 minutes.
- Strain and let cool.
- To use as a mouthwash, gargle
- To use as wound disinfectant, wash affected areas 2 to 3 times a day.
- Use as vaginal wash especially after childbirth.
Fresh bayabas leaves can also be chewed for the treatment of toothache and gum swelling.
To hasten wound healing, fresh bayabas leaf poultice may be applied to the wound.
If symptoms persist or aggravates, stop use and consult your doctor.
For diarrhea and control of stomach parasites
- Gather fresh Bayabas leaves,
- Boil chopped pieces of about 4 to 6 tablespoon for every 18 ounces of water.
- Strain and let cool.
- Drink ¼ cup of decoction every 3-4 hours until symptoms improve.
Bayabas Warnings and Side Effects
- Eating too much of Bayabas fruit can cause constipation.
- If there is no improvement to diarrhea symptoms in two days, consult your doctor.
